Apart from panic starting to set in with how much we still have to do before we go, excitement still rulz.
But first an update of what we have been up to recently.
EASTER..............
We spent 5 days down in Marlborough sounds over Easter and did some really exciting things.
We flew to Wellington, met up with another two teachers from school and crossed over on the ferry to Picton with some good company. We stayed overnight at the Americano Motel - interesting 70's place accommodating old (like us) bikers and vintage car enthusiasts. But apart from enthusiastic greetings in the morning we weren't to see them again as we were about to board a boat to SHIPS COVE in Queen Charlotte sound.
This was the start of a thrilling mountain biking adventure. Having got off the boat in idyllic weather and dropped into the stunning scenery of Q C, we were faced with an uphill push for 30 minutes. (see picture opposite of both of us at the top). Once there we got a view of QC, just one of the many different moods we would see QC in over the next three days.
Of course when you're at the top, there is only one way to go and that is down. Well that was not as easy as it may sound. Steep Down, in loose gravel with series of runoff drains traversing the track takes some skill to manage on a mountain bike. Finally we managed to get balance and braking right and get to the bottom unscathed although facing some hairy moments. From then on day one way fairly easy biking. So we arrived at Punga Cove after 4 1/2 hours having stopped at Furneaux Lodge for cake and coffee along the way (very sophisticated touring).
From Punga Cove we set off on what we knew to be the hardest day of the trip. What made it hard was that there was a lot of pushing but not in one long stretch. We were off and on our bikes often and it was hard adjusting the muscles all the time. It was an overcast day so that made it easier or the heat would have taken a toll also. But once again we were rewarded with truly amazing views of the sounds but even better now as that the track alternated views of QC sound and Kenepuru sound. The last 30 mins into Portage was an amazing downhill ride but our bikes were starting to feel the effects of all the downhills - Mark had virtually no brakes left and I was getting near the end of mine also.
However, after 4 hours biking, we arrived at Portage and all was forgotten as we found a Cafe, had an icecream and coffee and sat back and enjoyed the serenity of a special part of the world. We had made some companions by then - two families (of 4 and 5 respectively) who had taken their 9 - 16 year old children on this mountain bike adventure also. So we dined and wined with them, shared stories and slept like logs that night.
Next day we adjusted brakes and set off along the road, having decided to take out what was listed as the most challenging and technical part of the track for bikes. That saved us about 1 1/2 hours biking. We picked up the track at Mistletoe Bay for the best contour of the whole track and had a fast finish, arriving in Anikiwa with 3 1/2 hours to spare till our boat arrived. So we lunched, lay in the sun and enjoyed the company of the friends who had arrived also.
Back in Picton, we picked up our hire car and went to Blenheim for the last two days of our holiday. We had a nice B&B and they organised dinner for us at a local winery. The food was lovely and we finished that day with an early night so that we could keep up our stamina for the hardest day of the trip- tomorrow - wine touring.
We set out to find some good merlots as we had sampled some great ones at Punga Cove and Portage. Can recommend the Merlots from Marlborough. Framingham and Forrest Hill providing the best we felt. But having limited luggage space because of our bikes we decided on only 9 bottles of wine. Then it was back to the B&B, frozen dinners and DVD movie and quiet night. Next day we visited Havelock, an interesting place being the gateway to Pelorus sound and a truly remote part of NZ famous for it MUSSELS. We went to the Mussel Pot where Mark enjoyed amazing mussel dishes. Then off to Allan Scott Winery for late lunch before heading home - How much better can it get????
More updates as we get closer to d - day
At our stopover at Wellington airport we were attacked by this lovely young woman from out of the blue. It turns out Beca(Marks daugther) was there pciking her boyfriend up from his Easter break so we had a quick and delightful catchup.
